A PIECE of kit solely for the use of Sidmouth police will mean officers can crack down on one of residents’ biggest gripes – speeding motorists.

Sidmouth Herald: John Hollick with a new speed gun that he has handed over to Sgt Andy Squires and PCSO Chris Bolsover.Picture by Terry Ife. Ref shs 2926-12-14TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24John Hollick with a new speed gun that he has handed over to Sgt Andy Squires and PCSO Chris Bolsover.Picture by Terry Ife. Ref shs 2926-12-14TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24 (Image: Archant)

The resort no longer has to share a monitoring gun with another patch after town councillors splashed £1,250 on the reconditioned item.

Police have vowed to put the Ultra Lyte LTI 20/20 Laser Speed Detection Device to good use.

Sergeant Andy Squires told the Herald: “Ever since I landed here in July last year, one thing that keeps coming up at surgeries, meetings and in the street is speeding.

“We’ve done a lot of work, particularly in the Sidford area, but have been limited with being able to actually enforce it because we had to share a speed detection device with another station. It was not always available or we had to go and collect it.

“To have our own dedicated one here in Sidmouth means we can pop out any time – it will always be ready for use and both the neighbourhood team and response officers [based at Sidmouth Police Station] will use it.

“It will enable us to educate and enforce – it’s not just about handing out tickets.

“We’re grateful to the town council for supporting us. It’s right and proper we were able to link up with them on this in a partnership effort.”

Sidmouth Town Council chairman John Hollick said: “Over the years we are constantly contacted by members of the public who protest at speeds in certain roads.

“This was a golden opportunity to purchase this reconditioned device at a realistic price.

“If people are aware the local police have actually got one, it will make them a bit more alert.”